Letter: Mental health matters

Originally published in The Times

When I decided I wanted to pursue a Ph.D in psychology, I knew I was committing my life to health, especially improving the healthcare options that are available to vulnerable communities.

Mental health tends to fall under the radar for older age groups, but thanks to programs like Medicare Advantage (MA), seniors can access the services they need to keep their mental health strong. By providing wellness programs and gym benefits, seniors can remain social and feel connected to their communities, which has a serious impact on mental health.

Especially following the isolation that was induced by the pandemic, mental health resources and champions of mental health stability have never been more important. I’m glad to see Medicare Advantage is tackling both of these components head-on.

In Oregon, we are fortunate that our members of Congress are strong supporters of Medicare Advantage which makes sense since our state has one of the highest rates of enrollment in the country. Currently, over 450,000 Oregonians are enrolled in MA plans, representing over 50% of all those over 65 or with disabilities.

Based on personal experience, I’m not surprised to see the popularity and growth. These plans offer great value and satisfaction for many seniors and provides an essential piece of our healthcare system.

It’s not everyday people take the time to show gratitude for their elected officials or highlight what is working in government. However, I applaud our elected officials in Congress support for these vital services and urge them to continue to find ways to offer more choices and options for seniors.

Carol Greenough, Tualatin